Recent Headlines

As the longest-tenured governor in state history, Rick Perry redefined Texas.

His announcement not to seek re-election, redefines the political landscape.

It paves the way for Attorney General Greg Abbott, largely viewed as the favorite, to replace him. The political dominoes will fall, accordingly.

But Perry's influence on state government will endure for years. He will have served 13 years come January, filling countless appointments and building deep allegiances.

For this reason alone, we applaud Perry's decision not to seek another term. It is simply time for new blood, ideas and leadership.

“It's been an improbable journey,” Perry said during Monday's announcement at Holt Cat in San Antonio before hundreds of supporters and friends.

That journey took Perry from Paint Creek to the Texas House, and then a stint as agriculture commissioner. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1998, and became governor in late 2000 after George W. Bush was elected president.

Perry touted the 1.6 million jobs created since he became governor, confirmation, he said, of his policies around low taxes and limited government.

He said he has been standing for Texas values. And he cited the ongoing special session as exhibit A in his committed fight against abortion and support of life, a hallmark of his political career.

The state's economy has improved during Perry's tenure. But here's what also grew: acrimony and partisan divisiveness.

While he has fought to limit access to abortion, he has also fought against policies that would support families and children.

A major effort to reform school finance during his tenure, which traded local property taxes for a new business tax, did not work as planned, but he has not attempted to correct the plan's flaws. And the state has yet to restore education funding to pre-recession levels, despite a hefty rainy day fund.

Perry proudly rejected an expansion of Medicare. His opposition to tax increases led to a failure to address the state's transportation infrastructure needs.

He praised Texas' future: “Texas is better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities for the 21st century than any other state.”